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A new mural by anonymous artist Banksy has appeared in Hull, UK. The artwork is a stencilled design on the Scott street bridge and depicts a child holding a wooden sword with the words written “DRAW THE RAISED BRIDGE!”.
Banksy, Draw the Raised Bridge, Scott Street Bridge, Hull, UK 2018. Photo Credit Banksy
As always we aim to unravel Banksy’s murals … on first glance we notice the pencil attached to the end of the sword, which may be a reference to Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s words “The pen is mightier than the sword”. The saying emphasises that thinking and writing have more influence on people and events than the use of force or violence.
“The pen is mightier than the sword… Take away the sword; States can be saved without it!”
Banksy, Draw the Raised Bridge, Scott Street Bridge, Hull, UK 2018. Photo Credit Banksy
Another possible correlation may be Banksy referring to the ‘Open Bridges Hull‘ project which took place during Hull’s ‘Freedom Festival‘. The project, curated by Rich and Lou Duffy Howard, made history by closing all of Hull’s thirteen bridges, consequently splitting the city in two and denying the freedom of Hull.
Rich and Lou Duffy Howard, Scott Street Bridge, Open Bridges Hull 2018. Photo Credit Richard Duffy Howard
For sixty seconds, all movement between East and West Hull was suspended. This created a debate about freedom and the impact of withholding freedom, the freedom of movement and the meaning of freedom today in the world.
The reuniting of the city was celebrated with the live world premiere of John Stead’s new musical work, ‘Moments in Time’.
Open bridges Project, Sutton Road Bridge, Hull, UK 2018. Photo Richard Duffy Howard
Hull born politician and abolitionist William Wilberforce whose work to make slave trading illegal gave rise to Hull’s Freedom Festival and City of Culture Freedom Season.
The Open Bridges exhibition is open at Scale Lane Bridge Saturdays during January (6th, 13th, 20th and 27th 2018) 11.00 am to 3.00 pm. Free entry.
As always the artwork is up to your personal interpretation.
What are your thoughts? Please leave them in the comments box below.
